Scots secretary post significant, says Danny Alexander

Danny Alexander said the Scottish secretary post was significant

Scottish Secretary Danny Alexander has described his post as “significant” in the UK government, despite his party’s election pledge to scrap it.

The Lib Dem MP said the role was needed to maintain the spirit of co-operation between Scottish and UK ministers.

Mr Alexander also moved away from claims the Lib Dems may suffer at next year’s Holyrood elections after the party’s coalition deal with the Tories.

He said the new UK government would deliver benefits for Scotland.

The Scottish secretary’s comments came after Prime Minister David Cameron visited Holyrood this week to call for a “fresh start” in relations between the Scottish and UK governments.

‘Direct benefits’

Speaking on BBC Scotland’s Politics Show from Birmingham, where the Lib Dems are holding a special conference, Mr Alexander was asked if he would be the last secretary of state for Scotland.

“That’s a good question – I doubt it very much,” he said.

“What we think the importance of this role is, is to ensure that we are able to maintain the spirit of co-operation between the UK government and the Scottish government and the Scottish Parliament too.

“That’s what I intend to devote all of my time to as Scottish secretary and that’s why we think this is an important and significant job to carry on with.”

Mr Alexander said he did not share anxieties about electoral consequences for the Lib Dems at the Scottish Parliament polls next year after their deal with the Tories.

Party ‘misgivings’

He argued the new government was poised to deliver reforms in areas such as tax, civil liberties and the environment.

The MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey added: “Those are things that are going to have a direct benefit for people all over Scotland and I think, when people see those benefits coming through, they will see the benefits of the arrangement that was entered into.”

And commenting on former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy’s admission that he refused to back the coalition deal, Mr Alexander said: “I think it reflects the fact that there are, of course, some people in our party who have maybe a few misgivings about the direction in which we are going.”

Mr Alexander added that Mr Kennedy had also talked about the benefits of a coalition agreement.

Meanwhile, Strathclyde University’s Prof John Curtice pointed out the Tories have just one Scottish MP, while the Lib Dem vote in Scotland fell back on election night.

“The Liberal Democrats clearly must be concerned about the possible consequences of this deal for the party north of the border,” he said.

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Scots voters threaten Holyrood backlash after Lib Dems back Tories

May 16 2010 Mark Aitken, Sunday Mail

DAVID STEEL yesterday admitted the Liberal Democrats fear a huge loss of support after the party agreed to back the Tories to form a government.

The Lib Dem elder statesman admitted there was a “nervousness” among supporters about the impact of the coalition deal.

He spoke out as Labour claimed 12,000 members have joined the party in the days since the election as disillusioned Lib Dem voters desert them.

Lord Steel, who led the Liberals for more than a decade and was the first presiding officer of the Scottish parliament, said: “They share my anxieties about collaboration with the Tories.

“I have been fighting the Tories ever since my by-election in 1965, so naturally it is a bit uncomfortable to make this change.

“But it has to be done in the national interest. We now have to show the clear influence we are having on the processes of government.

“I’m not saying it will be easy. I think it is going to be tough but we will face up to it and we have a year to go before the Scottish elections.”

He spoke out as experts warn the Lib Dems face a massive backlash from voters, with polling experts estimating they could lose a quarter of their seats in the Holyrood election next year.

Supporters sickened by the sight of David Cameron and Nick Clegg cosying up to each other in Number 10 are quitting the party and senior figures admit they face tough times ahead.

Labour will today write to 100,000 Lib Dem voters in target seats urging them to change their vote at the Scottish parliament election.

The Lib Dems meet at a special conference in Birmingham today to endorse the coalition.

Leader Nick Clegg, who rejected a deal with Gordon Brown in favour of one with Cameron, has already secured the support of the party’s MPs and federal executive.

The coalition is also expected to be approved by the conference but it could have a devastating impact on the party’s fortunes in Scotland, where the Tories are loathed and have just one MP.

Polling expert John Curtice believes the Lib Dems could lose a quarter of their seats at the Holyrood election. The party, led by Tavish Scott, could see their MSPs drop from 16 to 12.

Casualties could include finance spokesman Jeremy Purvis, who won Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale in 2007 with a majority of 598.

Jim Tolson, deputy transport and local government spokesman, could also see his majority of 476 in Dunfermline West wiped out.

Andrew Arbuckle, a Lib Dem councillor for more than 20 years and a former MSP, said: “I can accept people having difficulty with the coalition. If you spend your life opposing a party, it is difficult to link up with them. But it is for the greater good.

“I wasn’t an immediate convert to it but we have an opportunity to make a change and break the mould in politics.

“There is a tremendous weight on those MPs in the Cabinet to make sure it works.

“I’m sure the electorate is mature enough to realise we couldn’t continue in the state we have been in.”

But Scottish science-fiction writer Michael Cobley has written on his blog: “As an LD party member, I feel as if I’m witnessing the ritual killing of my own party’s principles, live on TV, stage by stage, as they’re fed bit by bit into the maw of the Tory machine.

“Next up, elections to the Scottish parliament in 2011, in which we see the Liberal Democrat vote collapse.”

Meanwhile, Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray will attempt to win over 100,000 people in Scotland who voted Lib Dem at the last election.

Letters will be sent to people who were canvassed at the last Holyrood election and said they intended to vote Lib Dem. The letters will be targeted in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Fife and the Highlands.

Gray writes in the letter: “Since David Cameron walked into 10 Downing Street, hundreds of people who voted for the Liberal Democrats have contacted Scottish Labour to tell us how upset they are.

“In Scotland, many people voted Lib Dem because they wanted to be part of a forward-looking, progressive movement. The last thing they thought was that Nick Clegg would prop up a Tory government.

“People feel angry, betrayed and, in some cases, bewildered.

“I can understand that. As a minister in a previous Scottish government, I worked with Liberal Democrat coalition colleagues and found it a rewarding experience.

“But now they have thrown their lot in with David Cameron. The coalition is bringing forward Tory plans, which will hit families and threaten the economic recovery.”

Dan still man in Aviemore?

New Scottish Secretary Danny Alexander was one of the Lib Dem negotiators who sealed the deal with David Cameron’s Tories. Here, we speak to voters in Aviemore, in the heart of his Highland constituency, to find out if they back the coalition.

Sandra Taylor, 66, retired

I am not so sure about the coalition. I would like to think it would work but I have my misgivings. We’ll have to wait and see. Danny Alexander is good for this area. I know he wanted the post of Scottish Secretary abolished and now he’s got that job but I suppose under the circumstances it is understandable.

Michael Stephenson, 27, shop manager

It is true to say that the Liberal Democrats – who I voted for – and the Tories are strange bedfellows.

There will be scepticism but they have got to prove that this can work. Danny Alexander, I’m quite sure, will do a really good job as Scottish Secretary.

Jo Caird, 29, cafe worker

I voted Lib Dem but I would not have done so if I had known there was going to be a coalition with the Tories. Now it’s been done I suppose they will just have to get on with it and try to make the best of it.

Danny Alexander should do well as Scottish Secretary. He is a hard working Member of Parliament.

George Scott, 52, butcher

I am not sure I would have voted Lib Dem if I had known they would make a pact with the Tories. We will have to wait and see how it will work out. I voted for Danny Alexander because he was the only one who sent out a personal letter. He will make a good Scottish Secretary and will fight Scotland’s corner in the coalition.

Rhona McClure, hotel receptionist

I voted for Danny Alexander. Both the Lib Dems and the Tories will have to work hard to make this coalition work. Let’s hope, for the good of the country, they can do it. Our MP is a lovely man. He has no airs and graces. I’m sure he will make a good Scottish Secretary.

Will voters bite back in ballot?

John Curtice is Professor of Politics, Strathclyde University

When Nick Clegg shook David Cameron’s hand in Downing Street last week, his Holyrood colleagues must have been wondering what the coalition deal would mean for them. Liberal Democrat MSPs will have t o face the v oters in just 12 months time.

They will have to explain why their party allowed back into power a Tory party that, yet again, was decisively rejected by the voters of Scotland.

They must be fearful voters will vent their anger and disappointment in the Holyrood ballot boxes. Fortunately for them, many Liberal Democrat MSP have what appear to be relatively safe seats – though next year’s election will be fought on new constituency boundaries, so every MSP’s prospects will be more uncertain.

Three Liberal Democrat MSPs have quite marginal seats – Mike Pringle in Edinburgh South, Jeremy Purvis in Tweeddale, and Jim Tolson in Dunfermline West. Overall, the party could conceivably lose four seats – leaving it with a rump of just 12. But there might be one reason why this will not happen. The party did so badly in 2007, it only secured 11 per cent of the list vote. So perhaps the Liberal Democrats just simply cannot fall much further – which is probably just as well.

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Gordon Brown has announced he is to resign as prime minister.
This is his full statement:

As you know after the general election, that left no party able to command a majority in the House of Commons, I said I would do all that I could to ensure a strong, stable and principled government was formed; able to tackle Britain’s economic and political challenges effectively.

My constitutional duty is to make sure that a government can be formed following last Thursday’s general election.

I have informed the Queen’s private secretary that it is my intention to tender my resignation to the Queen.

I have been privileged to learn much about the very best in human nature, and a fair amount, too, about its frailties, including my own Gordon Brown

In the event the Queen accepts, I shall advise her to invite the leader of the opposition to seek to form a government.

I wish the next prime minister well, as he makes the important choices for the future.

Only those who have held the office of prime minister can understand the full weight of its responsibilities and its great capacity for good.

I have been privileged to learn much about the very best in human nature, and a fair amount, too, about its frailties, including my own.

‘Unwavering support’

Above all, it was a privilege to serve and, yes, I love the job, not for its prestige, its titles and ceremony, which I do not love at all, no, I loved the job for its potential to make this country I love fairer, more tolerant, more green, more democratic, more prosperous and more just – truly a greater Britain.

In the face of many years, challenges up to and including the global financial meltdown, I have always tried to serve, to do my best in the interests of Britain, its values and its people.

And let me add one thing also, I will always admire the courage I have seen in our armed forces.

Now the political season is over, let me stress that having shaken their hands and looked into their eyes, our troops represent all that is best in our country, and I will never forget all those who have died in honour and whose families today live in grief.

My resignation as leader of the Labour Party will take effect immediately, and in this hour I want to thank all my colleagues, ministers, members of Parliament, and I want to thank above all my staff who have been friends as well as brilliant servants of the country.

Above all I want to thank Sarah for her unwavering support as well as her love and for her own service to our country.

I thank my sons John and Frazier for the love and joy they bring to our lives and as I leave the second most-important job I could ever hold, I cherish, even more, the first as a husband and father.

Thank you and good-bye.

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